WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 9/3

Sep 3rd 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

New York Liberty at Chicago Sky, 3pm ET

Liberty Injury Report: Sabrina Ionescu (calf) is OUT.

Liberty Confirmed Lineup: Courtney Vandersloot, Marine Johannès, Betnijah Laney, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones

Sky Injury Report: Alanna Smith (concussion protocol), Isabelle Harrison (knee), Rebekah Gardner (foot) are OUT.

Sky Confirmed Lineup: Marina Mabrey, Courtney Williams, Kahleah Copper, Morgan Bertsch, Elizabeth Williams

The Liberty have won five straight and are locked into no worse than second in playoff seeding. During the five-game stretch, they've averaged the most rebounds per game (40.2) league-wide and have committed the fewest personal fouls (13.2) per game. Breanna Stewart has averaged a double-double with team-highs in points (21.6) and rebounds (10.6) per game during the streak.

Indiana Fever at Dallas Wings, 4pm ET

Fever Injury Report: Lexie Hull (shoulder) is OUT.

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Kristy Wallace, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

Wings Injury Report: Natasha Howard (health protocols) will play. Kalani Brown (health protocols), Diamond Deshields (knee), Lou Lopez Sénéchal (knee) are OUT.

Wings Confirmed Lineup: Crystal Dangerfield, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan

In one of the highest-scoring games of the season, the Wings beat the Fever 110-100 on Friday led by a career-high 40 points from Satou Sabally. The Wings averaged 90.6 points per game over the last 10 games while having allowed a league-most 90.7 points to opponents. They'll face off again but this time the Fever have nothing to play for after being eliminated from playoff contention. The Wings have locked in a playoff berth but can clinch the fourth seed with a win.

Phoenix Mercury at Minnesota Lynx, 7pm ET

Mercury Injury Report: Diana Taurasi (toe), Sophie Cunningham (jaw), Shey Peddy (concussion), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) are OUT.

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Moriah Jefferson, Sug Sutton, Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, Brittney Griner

Lynx Injury Report: Jessica Shepard (ankle), Lindsay Allen (thumb), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Tiffany Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Dorka Juhász

The Lynx are in a favorable position for a playoff spot. They're in fifth place heading into Sunday with all three remaining games against teams with a losing record. In three games against the Mercury this season, Diamond Miller averaged team-highs in points (16.0) and steals (2.7) in 25.4 minutes per game. Despite being benched in the second half of the previous game, Miller could bounce back against a Mercury team that has averaged 15.0 turnovers over the last five games.

Washington Mystics at Los Angeles Sparks, 7:30pm ET

Mystics Injury Report: Ariel Atkins (nose), Shakira Austin (hip) are OUT.

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Brittney Sykes, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Elena Delle Donne, Tianna Hawkins

Sparks Injury Report: Layshia Clarendon (health protocols) will play. Nneka Ogwumike (knee), Lexie Brown (illness), Chiney Ogwumike (foot), Nia Clouden (knee), Katie Lou Samuelson (maternity leave) are OUT.

Sparks Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Layshia Clarendon, Karlie Samuelson, Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens

In three games since Delle Donne returned, the Mystics have logged a 110.6 offensive rating with her on the court. It's impressive considering two of the games have been against the Aces. Her minutes have been limited the past three games, but they have incrementally risen to 26 in the last contest. They'll need her offensive contributions as the Sparks allowed the second-fewest points (75.9) per game to opponents over the last ten games.